5th December 2025
Funding Friday Series – Episode 2:
Understanding the TRL 6 Threshold Across Life Sciences
Reaching TRL 6 is now one of the most decisive factors in EIC Accelerator success — yet it remains one of the least understood. While the Work Programme requires applicants to enter at TRL 5, evaluators ultimately select companies that demonstrate a credible, evidence-driven trajectory toward TRL 6–8. Crucially, this threshold is not uniform: what constitutes “validated in a relevant environment” varies significantly across MedTech, Biotech Therapeutics, Digital Health, Deep Tech and Sustainable Livestock.
These sector-specific validation requirements—ranging from clinical-environment prototype testing to robust preclinical packages, prospective real-world data, dual platform–application validation, or complex field trials—explain why many promising innovations fall short. The differentiator is not scientific merit, but whether the evidence package reflects the standards regulators and evaluators expect for that technology category.
At Strategic Healthcare Advisors, we help innovators design validation strategies that align scientific, regulatory and funding pathways, ensuring TRL progression is both sector-appropriate and compelling to evaluators.
In this episode, Dr Caroline Chauché outlines what TRL 6 really means across life sciences sectors — and why understanding these differences is essential for EIC Accelerator readiness.
28th November 2025
Funding Friday Series - Episode 1:
The EIC Acceleration Work Programme 2026 - A Paradigm Shift
The 2026 EIC Accelerator introduces major changes that raise the bar for life sciences innovators, including €414 million for open calls, a doubled minimum equity investment of €1 million, and a mandatory TRL 5 threshold. These shifts prioritise later-stage companies with proven commercial traction and committed co-investors. While competition will become tougher, the programme remains Europe’s most powerful source of non-dilutive funding, offering recipients both substantial financial support and the prestigious EIC endorsement—a catalyst for 2–3x follow-on investment and accelerated partnerships or exits within 2–3 years.
Our team understands exactly what EIC evaluators and investors seek. Contact us to discuss your EIC Accelerator strategy.
In this episode, Dr Caroline Chauché explains what’s changed in 2026 and why it matters for life sciences innovations"
30th SEPTEMBER 2025
French HealthTech Startup in the United States in 2025
On September 30th, founders, investors, and industry experts came together to explore a key question: How can French HealthTech startups successfully expand to the United States? The discussion led to the creation of a new guide, “French HealthTech Startups in the USA – Your Guide to Break Through and Fund Success,” now available for download. With the U.S. capturing 45% of the global HealthTech market — and average funding rounds reaching $50–100M compared to just €2–3M in France — the stakes are high. The guide highlights practical success factors: adapting culturally, building teams with senior U.S. talent, structuring transatlantic operations, blending European and American funding, and balancing humility with agility.
🎥 Watch the full Webinar HERE
4th August 2025
Don't Pitch Too Soon -Ask yourself these 8
Questions
Jean-Michel Verjus, Co-Managing Partner at Strategic Healthcare Advisors, has published an essay highlighting the key questions every healthcare startup should ask before raising funds. From defining the right timing and funding needs to choosing suitable investors and preparing a fallback plan, his guide helps founders ask themselves the right questions to avoid common mistakes and build a strong funding strategy.
At Strategic Healthcare Advisors, we support startups in tackling these challenges with confidence. By strengthening strategy and sharpening investor pitches, we help founders secure funding while staying in control of their company’s future.
1st-4th July 2025, Paris
Strategic Healthcare Advisors Supports Next-Gen Consultants
We’re proud to share that Francis Mathe, our Co-Managing Partner at Strategic Healthcare Advisors, recently served as a coach at SKEMA Business School’s 12th Digital Consulting Week. This event brings together students and industry leaders to solve real-world business challenges, giving participants valuable hands-on experience and exposure to future career paths.
Francis’s contribution reflects our core values of insight, collaboration, and impact. By supporting the next generation of digital and healthcare consultants, we continue to nurture talent and strengthen the future of our industry.
16th June 2025, Online
Entering the French Healthcare Market - Cracking the Code
Caroline Chauche, our Co-Managing Partner at Strategic Healthcare Advisors, recently hosted a roundtable with Scottish Development International to support epipole, a Scottish MedTech startup scaling into the French Healthcare market. The session, titled "Cracking the Code: Entering the French Healthcare Market". brought together leading experts in procurement, legal, IP, distribution, sustainability, and investment.
Key insights highlighted the importance of the strong local partnerships, early legal and regulatory preparation, and the growing role of AI and sustainability in French hospital procurement. This collaborative effort reflects our commitment to guild innovators like epipole through complex markets with clarity and impact.
🎥 Watch the full roundtable webinar HERE
20th May 2025, Paris
A Franco-Scottish Exchange on Sustainable Healthcare Innovation
Strategic Healthcare Advisors organized and coordinated a dynamic panel of Scottish Development International at the British Embassy in Paris. The discussion brought together top voices in healthcare, law and sustainability to explore the future of cross-border innovation - brilliantly moderated by Pascel Becache, Digital Pharma Lab. A true testament to the power of international collaboration.
